In the Hewett Treaty, concluded in 1884, the United Kingdom recognized Bogos and Massawa as possessions of Ethiopia in return for Ras Alula's help evacuating the Egyptian garrisons of Amedeb, Algeden, Keren, Ghirra, and Gallabat which had been isolated by the Mahdists, and because of these successes the British once more asked for his help against the Mahdists under Osman Digna. On 9 October 1876, the Emperor Yohannes IV made Alula governor of Mereb Mellash and Midri Bahri (today part of Eritrea). Emperor Yohannes badly needed a man with these skills at the moment, for Ras Woldemichael Solomon was in revolt in Hamasien Alula was promoted to Ras and sent to deal with this unruly aristocrat, who fled to Bogos. His second marriage was purely for political reasons, to improve his legitimacy with the local aristocracy, who did not hide their disapproval at seeing the son of a peasant reach this stature.Īlula demonstrated his military skill in the Battle of Gundet and Gura, which were fought in November 1875 and March 1876 respectively, where he routed the Egyptian forces. However, in order to enhance his position at the Imperial court, he divorced his wife and married Woizero Amlesu Araya, daughter of Ras Araya Dimtsu, the powerful and much respected uncle of Emperor Yohannes IV. He had three children by his first wife Woizero B'tweta. In spite of his humble background, Alula succeeded in climbing the ladder of the feudal hierarchy.
Erlich records an oral tradition that the young Alula distinguished himself by being the one who captured king Tekle Giyorgis in the battle where Emperor Yohannes crushed his opponent (11 July 1871). In this episode of The Stream, we’ll discuss the crisis in Ethiopia and ask whether a full-scale civil war can be avoided.The house of Ras Alula at Asmara, in present-day EritreaĪt first Alula attached himself to the distinguished Ras Araya Dimtsu, hereditary chief of Enderta who was lord of the land his father farmed before long he gained the attention of Ras Araya's successful nephew, Dejazmach Kassa Mercha (the future emperor Yohannes IV), who made him his elfegn kalkay ("chamberlain and doorkeeper"). Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed and thousands of refugees have fled to Sudan.Ībiy has so far refused to enter into peace talks with the TPLF, saying in a tweet that there would be no dialogue “until our efforts to ascertain the rule of law are achieved”. And, fuelling fears of an escalation, the TPLF has launched missiles at neighbouring Eritrea’s capital after accusing it of sending troops to support Ethiopian forces – something Eritrea denies.Īccording to UN aid agencies, a major humanitarian crisis is now brewing. There are concerns the fighting may erupt into a civil war that could drag in the entire country and the wider region.Ībiy’s government said on Monday it had captured two towns in Tigray. The two-week-old conflict has escalated quickly, with air raids from the central government and missile attacks from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), who run the Tigray region in the country’s north. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent shockwaves through his country when he ordered military action against a regional government earlier this month, alleging its forces had attacked an army base in an attempt to steal arms.